autoevolution
 

Driven: 2023 Toyota bZ4X – Hybrid No More

As one of the biggest proponents of hybrid technology, Toyota has been somewhat of a laggard when it comes to offering a full electric vehicle. This shortcoming is now rectified with the launch of the 2023 Toyota bZ4X compact SUV.
2023 Toyota bZ4X 42 photos
Photo: Matt DeLorenzo
2023 Toyota bZ4X2023 Toyota bZ4X2023 Toyota bZ4X2023 Toyota bZ4X2023 Toyota bZ4X2023 Toyota bZ4X2023 Toyota bZ4X2023 Toyota bZ4X2023 Toyota bZ4X2023 Toyota bZ4X2023 Toyota bZ4X2023 Toyota bZ4X2023 Toyota bZ4X2023 Toyota bZ4X2023 Toyota bZ4X2023 Toyota bZ4X2023 Toyota bZ4X2023 Toyota bZ4X2023 Toyota bZ4X2023 Toyota bZ4X2023 Toyota bZ4X2023 Toyota bZ4X2023 Toyota bZ4X2023 Toyota bZ4X2023 Toyota bZ4X2023 Toyota bZ4X2023 Toyota bZ4X2023 Toyota bZ4X2023 Toyota bZ4X2023 Toyota bZ4X2023 Toyota bZ4X2023 Toyota bZ4X2023 Toyota bZ4X2023 Toyota bZ4X2023 Toyota bZ4X2023 Toyota bZ4X2023 Toyota bZ4X2023 Toyota bZ4X2023 Toyota bZ4X2023 Toyota bZ4X2023 Toyota bZ4X
While it’s not the first EV from the Japanese automaker - it had a California-only RAV4 EV built from 2012-2014 - the bZ4X is the first of a series of electrics that will be sold by both Toyota and its luxury Lexus sibling. While it shares a family look with the similar-size RAV4 closer inspection reveals some significant differences that go beyond the powertrain.

The Toyota bZ4X has the classic looks and stance of an SUV accentuated by the black wheel arches. While it dispenses with the traditional grille in favor of solid front fascia, there is a lower intake as well as slit between the thin headlamp units. The wheel arches, rather than being plastic cladding, are the metal fenders painted in contrasting black gloss paint. The roof is also black, which also gives the bZ4X a slightly lower and sportier look. All these touches serve to differentiate it from the other SUVs in Toyota’s lineup.

That different approach carries over to the interior. The 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster sits high on the dash in front of the driver and above the steering wheel. There’s no way to adjust the wheel itself high enough to look through it like you would in a conventional car. While it serves as sort of a head-up display in a fixed binnacle, it is a bit off-putting. When you drive the bZ4X, it feels as if the steering wheel and column are more in your lap instead of in front of your outstretched arms.

2023 Toyota bZ4X
Photo: Toyota
The rest of the interior is fairly spartan, with cloth covering some dash surfaces and leatherette used to upholster the seats. There are some piano black and chrome accents that add to the rather plain looks. Because of the flat floor, there’s plenty of legroom front and rear and the overall cabin feels spacious for a compact.

The center console is dominated by a large 12.3-inch center touchscreen with enhanced connectivity features including over-the-air (OTA) updates, cloud-based navigation and destination assists and a voice assistant that responds to “Hey Toyota” voice commands.

Toyota offers the bZ4X in two trim levels, XLE and Limited in either front- or all-wheel-drive. The front-drive models feature a 150 kW (201 horsepower) electric motor, while the all-wheel-drive versions employ two 80 kW (107 horsepower) motors front and rear for a total system output of 214 horsepower.

2023 Toyota bZ4X
Photo: Toyota
Front-drive variants are equipped with 71.4 kWh battery packs good for a range of 252 miles on XLE and 242 miles on the slightly heavier and more feature laden Limited. A slightly larger 72.8 kWh battery powers all-wheel drive models, which have shorter ranges of 228 miles for the XLE and 222 miles for AWD.

The front-drive Limited model I drove has plenty of power, near silent operation and a solid road feel thanks to the 4,398-pound curb weight. The steering is light, yet precise and the overall driving experience is more like a car than a SUV. Part of that may be the seating position, which doesn’t feel as high up as in a RAV4.

The bZ4X is quick off the line and the brake feel and feedback is solid, though unlike other EVs, which offer paddle controls to adjust regenerative braking, there’s a switch on the center console to select a level. However, it lacks a regen mode aggressive enough to allow for one-pedal driving.

2023 Toyota bZ4X
Photo: Toyota
While I drove only a front-drive model, the extra traction (and weight) of the all-wheel-drive presents its own set of considerations since there isn’t an appreciable different in power (13 horses). The price gap is only $2,000 more, but you’re also sacrificing range in the bargain. The decision to go front- or all-wheel-drive boils down to whether you live in a climate where you’d want the additional traction AWD affords. Even then, the front-drive models should be up to the task of taking whatever Mother Nature can throw at it in most instances.

The bZ4X isn’t the only game in town, however. As part of its joint venture with Subaru, where the latter supplies both with the 86 and BRZ sport coupes, Toyota builds both the bZ4X and the Solterra for its partner. While there are some minor styling tweaks, they are essentially the same vehicle. However, Subaru, true to its heritage, only offers the all-wheel-drive variants.

Pricing starts at $42,000 for the front-drive XLE and $46,700 for the similarly equipped Limited trim. The AWD models are $44,080 in XLE and $48,700 for the Limited. The Toyota bZ4X is also eligible for the $7,500 federal electric vehicle tax credit.
If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories